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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: ruler · mark · toast · vault · kick · firm · pop · land

  1. When are we going to ________________?
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  4. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. You don't need to ________________ round.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. We're almost out of ________________.
  11. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  16. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. land — to come down
  2. toast — bread
  3. kick — with a leg
  4. kick — a thrill
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. pop — music
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. pop — to visit
  9. mark — a grade
  10. pop — soda
  11. land — ground
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. land — a country
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. vault — a safe
  16. vault — an arched ceiling
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. mark — a trace
  19. kick — in football
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. firm — a company
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. firm — steady
  24. firm — decided

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com